Mariinsky Palace

The palace was named after the daughter of Emperor Nicolas I, the Great Princess Mary

The palace that is now considered an architectural landmark was designed by A.Stackenschneider. It was built in 1844. For one day it was open to public, which was a bright and memorable event for that time.

After great princess Mary died in 1876 the palace was inherited by her sons, who were forced to sell it to settle the debts. In 1884 emperor Alexander III signed an order to announce Mariinski palace the residency on the State Council.

In February 1917 the palace was the seat of the Provisional Government, later on – of the Pre-parliament (the Council of Russian Republic established by the Mensheviks). Since December, 14, 1994 Mariinski palace is the seat of the Legislative Assembly of Saint-Petersburg (the city Parliament).

According to a city legend, Princess Mary refused to live in the palace built specially for her for the reason that she was not pleased by the location of the monument to Emperor Nicolas I in the centre of Isaakiyevskaya square. The monument backs the main entrance to the Mariinski palace, which was a sign for the Princess that her father turned her back on her.